Silhouette Soft Lift treatment is a patented self-anchoring thread technology that permits a minimally invasive approach for elevation and fixation of skin. Silhouette Soft Lift treatment is now available in Cape Town and Somerset West administered under the watchful eye of Dr Wade Merchant. Silhouette Soft Lift treatment is an FDA approved product for elevation and fixation of mid-face, brow and neck.

Silhouette Soft Lift treatment is made from polylactic acid , a material that has been used inside the human body as a suture material for decades. Silhouette Soft Lift is designed with patented dimensional cones that attach to the sub dermal tissue, lifting, suspending and fixating the contour of the brow, mid-face and neck areas.

Procedure Description

The Silhouette Soft Lift treatment is a minimally invasive office procedure performed under local anaesthetic that is designed to elevate, reposition and lift lax skin of the brow, face and neck. The Silhouette Soft Lift treatment works by having these fine threads inserted painlessly under the skin. These fine threads are similar to those that would be used to support the deep structures of your face if you were to receive a real surgical facelift.

Using local anaesthetic, the threads are passed into the droopy facial element with a special guide needle. The threads are then able to grab on to the droopy soft-tissue and muscle of the desired area. Most patients experience minimal bruising or swelling for 1-7 days. The Silhouette Soft Lift treatment is not painful and most patients can return to normal activities with makeup the next day. The threads stay where they are inserted and, like all internal sutures, are generally well tolerated by the body.

The Silhouette Soft Lift treatment shows immediate effects. Patients can achieve 30-70% of what an invasive facelift may achieve and well over 90% of Silhouette Soft Lift patients report very satisfying lift results. The Silhouette Soft Lift treatment lasts up to 18 month and can be repeated. Many Silhouette Soft Lift patients may combine the skin tightening effects of the Silhouette Soft Less with other procedures. Patients may choose to re-suspend tissue with this technique in several years or go on to more traditional forms of plastic surgery.

What do the threads look like?

Unlike other thread products, Silhouette Soft Lift is clear so they are not visible under fair or thin skin.

How do they work?

Due to the unique design of the cones of Silhouette Soft Less, the surrounding tissues act to hold the threads in place without the need for visible scars. The cones do the work of holding, by being fixated to tissue as they are softly contoured into place. Once in position, your body generates new collagen bundles that surround each thread to maintain the lifting effect.

Does it hurt?

Pain and discomfort are very minimal with this technique and most patients take only Paracetamol for pain relief. In most cases, ice compresses are recommended for the first 24-48 hours.

Is it safe?

The risks and complications are uncommon and usually easily correctable. The actual sutures are made from polylactic acid, which is a material that has been used in brain, heart and abdominal surgery for many years. Since a Silhouette Soft lift is performed under local anaesthesia, there are none of the risks associated with general anaesthesia.

What kind of care is required after the procedure?

Following a Silhouette Soft lift procedure, there are some practical instructions and care that must be followed to avoid traumatizing or dislodging the threads from their supportive locations in the deep fat of the face and neck. Some of these instructions include avoidance of forceful facial rubbing or trauma, sleeping on your back, minimal facial animations, putting pressure on the face, and avoidance of excessive mouth opening. After 3 weeks, there are no more restrictions.

When can I return to work and activities?

Depending upon your job and your tolerance for some minor bruising and swelling, you may be able to return to work in 2-3 days following the procedure. Most patients look good in makeup after one week.

How many treatments will I need?

Usually only one procedure is needed to achieve the desired lifting effect.

How long do the results last?

Physicians’ experiences have shown that duration varies, depending on the age of the patient at the time of the procedure, the degree of sagging, and the number of threads used.

Can this procedure be combined with other cosmetic procedures?

The Silhouette Soft Lift is a stand-alone procedure. However, it is not uncommon to have this procedure combined with Botulinum toxin (Botox) to reduce facial muscle activity, dermal fillers to enhance volume, or peels and laser therapy to improve skin texture.

Are the threads permanent?

Silhouette Soft is absorbable, and it will dissolve over time.

What areas can be treated?

Silhouette Soft Lift is used for:

Reposition sagging cheeks

Lift drooping soft tissue of the mid and lower face and neck

Smooth out premature skin aging

What type of results will I see?

The effects are immediate. During the time of your consultation, Dr. Wade Merchant will demonstrate in the mirror, the relative amount of lift that the Silhouette Soft Lift can achieve. The procedure can also be combined with other techniques including dermal fillers and Botulinum toxin (Botox).

Do I need to have anaesthesia?

In most cases, only local anaesthesia is required. General anaesthesia is not necessary for this technique.

How long does it take to perform?

The Silhouette Soft Lift is most commonly performed under local anaesthesia and the procedure usually takes less than 30 to 60 minutes to complete, depending on the number of threads used. Patients are able to go home soon after the procedure.

Who is a good candidate for a Silhouette Soft Lift treatment?

In general, the best candidates for a Silhouette Soft Lift include both women and men who want a more dramatic and long lasting effect than fillers and Botulinum toxin or other treatments can provide, but do not want a full face lift or brow lift procedure.

How do I know if I am a good candidate?

Ideal candidates are women and men in the thirties through the sixties with moderate drooping of the soft tissues of the brow, face and neck. Patients must have realistic expectations. They should not be too heavy or too thin, and should be medically well and not be taking blood thinning medication.